Illinois issuing $3.4M to fight West Nile virus

SPRINGFIELD (AP) — Ninety public health agencies across Illinois will share $3.4 million in West Nile virus grant money from the state Department of Public Health.

The money is to be used for prevention programming, testing birds and mosquitoes for West Nile virus and controlling mosquitoes. Funds also can be used to inform the public about the virus and investigate human cases of the virus.

Department of Public Health director Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck said local health department need resources to fight the virus.

Last year Illinois had 290 human cases of West Nile virus and 12 deaths.